Two killed in shooting near bar in Deep Ellum

DALLAS — Two people died early Wednesday morning after a shooting outside a Deep Ellum bar, WFAA police confirmed.

Dallas police said the man and woman were shot and killed at about 1:00 a.m. at the Bitter End bar, located at 2826 Elm Street. Police who arrived at the scene told the WFAA that the man and woman were taken to the hospital, where they died.

Police said investigators learned that one of the victims was on the bar’s patio when he was approached by a suspect “who fired multiple shots,” hitting him, according to a press release.

According to police, one of the fired bullets went through a window in a bar and hit a woman who was standing inside. The third person was wounded by a fragment of a bullet and received injuries incompatible with life.

The suspect reportedly ran north down Elm Street after the shooting. Police described him as being about six feet tall, with a thin build, and was last seen wearing a black hoodie with a pattern or lettering on the front, shorts, and a ski mask.

In a report Wednesday night, police identified the two dead: Ricky Gossett, 37, and Danielle Jones, 30.

Police are still investigating the shooting.

Leo Papanikkolow, a glass company repairman, knew he would be working at the Bitter End nightclub on Wednesday afternoon. He received a call from the bar’s managers asking for repairs.

“Shot through a few windows,” Papanicolaou said. “So we just kind of put it all in order and nail everything down.”

Papanicolaou said similar incidents at the WFAA last year kept him busy, especially at Deep Ellum.

“I work a lot with glass here, so. But you know, just, you know, try to bring it all back, you know, bring it back to normal,” Papanicolaou said.

Stephanie Keller Hadiburg is the Executive Director of the Deep Ellum Foundation. Deep Ellum is one of the most popular places in all of Texas that attracts people of all ages. Events and nightly entertainment take place almost every day of the week.

One of the missions of the Deep Ellum Foundation is to keep the area safe. Not only did they run a security program that includes multiple CCTV cameras throughout Deep Ellum, but the foundation also partnered with the Dallas Police to implement the security program.

“Our security program is 100% driven by our community,” Hudiburg said. “A community that cares about safety and caters to anyone who wants to come to Deep Ellum.”

Hadiburg and her staff do not want gun violence to define Deep Ellum. But the foundation is determined to win the battle to keep Texas one of the state’s most popular entertainment destinations.

“We are a community that wants to welcome everyone. It is important. It’s in our DNA to welcome everyone, regardless of background. But we do not welcome violence. We are a place where people come and get a unique experience. in art and gastronomy, music and culture,” Hudiburg said. “Deep Ellum is 150 different experiences for 150 different people.”

This is the second time in a month that a bystander has been shot dead in Deep Ellum.

On February 12, musician Cameron Cooper was working as a security guard for Sunday’s Super Bowl at Free Man when he was shot in the stomach and leg.

The two men got into a fight outside a bar, leading to a shootout. Surveillance video shows how bullets whistled through the windshield and hit Cooper, who also performs regularly at the bar.

As of now, the DPD has not released any official updates on the case.

Cooper spent 10 days in the hospital and underwent several surgeries. Now he is recovering and working on getting back on his feet.

“I can’t imagine what these two families are going through, what all the members are going through. Thinking about that night, I don’t think I continue my day right after it. It’s constant,” Cooper said. “There’s just a lot to go through.”

Cooper is the father of five and hopes to perform again soon.

“Still recovering and still being treated. Just take it step by step,” he said.

“The only solution to all this is that people make the right choice not to take matters into their own hands and not put everyone in danger.”